Safe Speed Forums

I have an impending speeding prosecution against me. It was a mobile van, not a fixed camera. After allowing for permissible speedometer error, it is alleged that I was <gasp> 3mph above the minimum speed for which a prosecution could be considered. So now I have questions about the scamera vans.

These scamera vans seem to appear all over the place. How can they be recognised? Does it always say "speed camera partnership" on the side of the van? Do the vans always have a speed camera icon displayed on them?

My reason for asking is because yesterday I saw a "Highways Agency" vehicle parked in a lay-by on the A404 Marlow bypass. The driver was in his seat but no other officer was visible inside the vehicle. Could this have been a scamera van? Also, what is the effective range of the equipment used in scamera vans?

Highways agency vans certainly can't do you for speeding. To be honest there isn't really any one "uniform" for the scamera vans. They will at least have lights on the roof (usually orange), will at least on the side say "xxxx safety camera partnership" on the side and maybe have a "Think!" slogun too.

Have a browse through the talivan section on www.speedcam.co.uk and that will give you an idea of what talivans look like. They've got pictures of Thames Valley scamera vans (where you live).

They don't all have light bars! I usually play it safe and if I see any white or brightly coloured van parked up I'll slow down until I'm sure. There's one round here ATM that looks like a camper van from a distance...

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Good. I think I'm in the clear then. I had braked and was below the 70 speed limit from about 150 yards back.

What are these "highways agency" vehicles then? Are they police? My involvement with police during my lifetime is minimal, so I'm unfamiliar with these matters.

Briefly, they're the trafpol equivalent of PCSOs..

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"Politicians are the same the world over... We build bridges where there aren't any rivers." - Nikita Kruschev

But with even less powers.

Or is it more?

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

If the van is not operated as part of a "camera partnership", it doesn't need to be marked at all.

Beds police operate unmarked camera vans/cars:
************************************************
Bedfordshire Police Road Safety Enforcement Team -
safety cameras in unmarked police vehicles

At the request of parish councils, the Bedfordshire Police
Road Safety Enforcement Team carries out speed
enforcement checks. Speed checks are also conducted
as a result of members of the public complaining about
speeding motorists.

The Speedmaster camera equipment is specially fitted
to unmarked vehicles to detect speeding motorists who
exceed the legal limit. Offenders will then receive a Fixed
Penalty Notice through the post. For more information
about the Road Safety Enforcement Team click here.



http://www.drivesafely.org/safety_cameras/why_cameras.htm

if the NIPs issued are under the netting off scheme then yes all vehicles must be marked up

unmarked cars / vans can and are used, they also work in areas where the camera vans do not, the only difference the £60 goes to the treasury